French air traffic control strike causes delays

Passengers flying to, from and over France face disruption today due to a strike by public sector workers across the country.

The walkout, which has included air traffic control workers, started yesterday at 1900 local time and will continue until 0600 tomorrow.

Air traffic control body Eurocontrol said the strike had this morning caused "big delays" in some areas of French airspace, particularly in the Marseille area with delays expected to last all day today.

Air France said in a statement: "According to the information given by French Civil Aviation, we plan to operate all our flights as scheduled and to transport all of our customers to their final destination.

"However, some delays are expected and last minute cancellations could occur. In addition, access to the airports could take longer."

Easyjet warned passengers that the industrial action would affect both flights to and from France, as well as services flying over French airspace.

British Airways said in a statement: "This industrial action is likely to include air traffic control employees and some flights to and from France are likely to experience delays."

Earlier this month, French pilots union SNPL called off a proposed month-long strike just hours before it was due to begin (see news, May 2).